HATFIELD TWP. — Other than the new name, patients of the facility formerly known as the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association should not notice any changes in their interaction with the agency, according to its former executive director Kitty Fitzgerald.

She said the transition to Abington Health Home Care and Hospice — following Monday’s announced completion of its acquisition by Abington Memorial Hospital — should be relatively seamless.

“There will not be an interruption in any of our services, which we’re very happy about,” said Fitzgerald, who will serve as its director of home care.

The Abington Health Home Care and Hospice — which employs 200 professionals — will provide home care and hospice to residents in parts of Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, according to a news release from the Abington Memorial Hospital.

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“This is an exciting time for all of us in home care as we expect to serve many more members of our community next year,” said Elissa Della Monica, executive director of Home Care and Hospice at Abington Health, in a prepared statement. “It is a privilege to serve people in their homes when they need us most.”

The acquisition could mean that the home care agency will be adding services in the future, according to Fitzgerald.

In November, officials at Abington Health signed a letter of intent to acquire the North Penn VNA.

On Monday, Fitzgerald said the North Penn VNA board of directors approved the acquisition in order to comply with regulations in the Affordable Care Act.

In the law, she cited the Accountable Care Organizations, entities created to better coordinate care for Medicare patients, according to information posted on the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website.

The move positions the former NPVNA to potentially add future services, according to Fitzgerald.

“The leaders and staff of the NPVNA have created a wonderful organization dedicated to serving the home health and community health needs of the greater North Penn region,” says Laurence M. Merlis, Abington Health’s president and chief executive officer, in the same statement.

“By bringing the NPVNA to Abington Health, it allows us to expand our home health services geographically and enhances our ability to provide the full continuum of care across the region.”